LETTER: We need McDavid's leadership as mayor of Columbia

Thursday, March 4, 2010 | 12:01 a.m. CST

BY
Scott and Cheryl Orr, Boone County

We respectfully urge your readers to support Bob McDavid for mayor. In today’s confused political world, few leaders show complete unselfish courage and statesmanship by doing the right thing. Many are so factionalized, partisan and self promoting that the long-term welfare of their constituency is secondary in their actions.

McDavid showed true political courage as chair of the Boone Hospital Trustees when he refused to go along with the flow and allow renewal of the blatantly unfair lease with BJC HealthCare. The proposed lease would continue to drain control and the bulk of the profits from Boone County citizens to BJC. McDavid bucked many friends, colleagues and powerful monetary interests to protect the little guys he represented and who own the hospital – the citizens of Boone County.

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Columbia Mayor Darwin Hindman casts his ballot Tuesday afternoon at St. Andrews Lutheran Church. "I was excited to vote for the school bond and propositions, as it is truly important for the city," Hindman said. "But when it comes to the vote for mayor, I missed seeing my name there. It was really a final act before becoming fully aware that my tenure as mayor is truly over."

As a result of McDavid's and Fred Parry’s brave and bold leadership, we citizens will keep perhaps $50 million profits that would have gone to St. Louis. In these precarious financial times, we need that type of fiscal sensibility, common sense and political courage in the mayor’s office.

We need someone we can trust to look after our dollars and our long-term economic interests. We believe McDavid is the best candidate for the job.

Scott and Cheryl Orr live in Boone County but own property within Columbia city limits and have an office downtown.